Galatasaray vs. Copenhagen (Wednesday, 5.45pm)
Turkish giants Galatasaray welcome Danish champions Copenhagen to RAMS Park for their opening group-stage fixture in the 2023-24 Champions League on Wednesday night.
The two teams are considered as the outsiders in Group A that also includes six-time European champions Bayern Munich and three-time winners Manchester United.
We say: Galatasaray 2-0 Copenhagen
Galatasaray are flying high at present and will fancy their chances of picking up all three points in their opening group fixture in front of a raucous atmosphere at RAMS Park.
Both teams will view this fixture as a must-win game if they are to cause an upset in Group A and secure a top-two finish, but we believe that the hosts boast a greater threat in attack that should help fire them to victory on Wednesday.
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Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin (Wednesday, 5.45pm)
Real Madrid will be bidding to make it six straight wins in all competitions at the start of the 2023-24 campaign when they welcome Union Berlin in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Los Blancos will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga, while Union Berlin suffered a 2-1 loss to Wolfsburg in their last Bundesliga fixture on Saturday.
We say: Real Madrid 3-1 Union Berlin
This has the potential to be a very entertaining match, as Union Berlin will look to make their mark on Wednesday evening. We are backing the visitors to score but are fully expecting Real Madrid's vast experience in the competition to help them navigate their way to all three points in the Spanish capital.
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> How Real Madrid could line up against Union Berlin
> Real Madrid injury, suspension list vs. Union Berlin
Bayern vs. Man Utd (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
European juggernauts Bayern Munich and Manchester United lock horns at the Allianz Arena for their opening Group A fixture in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Boasting nine European crowns between them, the two teams last met in a competitive fixture nine years ago when Bayern ran out 3-1 winners in a quarter-final second-leg tie, while they last faced each other in the group stage back in 2001.
We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Manchester United
Although Bayern experienced a minor wobble last weekend, the prospect of an under-pressure Man United side claiming a victory on Wednesday in their current predicament seems a tall order.
The Bavarians boast a frighting frontline, including a clinical goalscorer in Kane and several pacey attackers, who should have plenty of joy against a leaky Red Devils backline en route to picking up maximum points in their opening Group A fixture.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Bayern could line up against Man United
> How Man United could line up against Bayern
> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Bayern
Sevilla vs. Lens (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
Taking a welcome break from miserable domestic campaigns, La Liga strugglers Sevilla host a declining Lens side in Group B of the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Los Palanganas added Europa League title number seven to their cabinet to return to the continent's premier tournament last term, while Les Sang et Or collected the silver medal in Ligue 1, and the two sides will also face Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven for a knockout berth.
We say: Sevilla 1-0 Lens
An inspired Oukidja was the main reason for Lens' failure to make the net ripple at the weekend, but the Openda-less visitors have struggled for attacking inspiration all season long and are unlikely to turn their fortunes around against a Ramos-marshalled Sevilla backline.
While Mendilibar's side have flattered to deceive on the domestic front too, morale will be higher in the hosts' camp thanks to their belated opening victory, and the Europa League winners' greater continental nous should also help them on their way to a narrow win in Group B.
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Arsenal vs. PSV (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
Stepping out to the Champions League anthem for the first time in six-and-a-half years, Arsenal welcome PSV Eindhoven to the Emirates Stadium for Wednesday's Group B opener.
Mikel Arteta's men punched their ticket to Europe's elite competition via a second-placed finish in the 2022-23 Premier League, while their Dutch counterparts avenged last summer's playoff loss to Rangers.
We say: Arsenal 2-1 PSV Eindhoven
PSV may have dominated Arsenal during their most recent showdown 11 months ago, but with no Xavi Simons or Ibrahim Sangare running the show, even the most goal-happy of Rood-witten crops should have their work cut out in North London given the increase in opposition calibre.
Arsenal's continued defensive shortcomings means that Arteta's men may still have to fight fire with fire, but the Gunners should rise to the occasion and begin Group B with a maximum haul, especially with an array of talent ready to make a difference off the bench.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Arsenal could line up against PSV Eindhoven
> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. PSV
Braga vs. Napoli (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
Italian champions Napoli will be bidding to make the perfect start to their Champions League group-stage campaign when they travel to Braga on Wednesday night.
The visitors will enter the contest off the back of a 2-2 draw with Genoa in Serie A, while Braga suffered a 3-1 defeat to Farense in the Primeira Liga last time out.
We say: Braga 1-1 Napoli
Napoli will be the favourites on Wednesday night, but Braga are a very talented side, and this will not be a straightforward match for the Italians, who have dropped points in their last two league matches. It would not be a surprise to see an away win, but we are backing the points to be shared in this contest.
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Benfica vs. Salzburg (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
Benfica and Red Bull Salzburg will kick off their respective Champions League campaigns on Wednesday, when they do battle at the Estadio da Luz in the opening round of group-stage fixtures.
The hosts reached the quarter-finals of last year's competition, while their visitors dropped out of their group and into an unsuccessful Europa League playoff bid.
We say: Benfica 3-1 Red Bull Salzburg
Red Bull Salzburg do have the tools to cause any side problems, but we see a trip to the Estadio da Luz being a step too far and anticipate Benfica making their superior quality and experience count for a victory in their group curtain-raiser.
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Real Sociedad vs. Inter Milan (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
In the opening round of Champions League group stage fixtures this season, Inter Milan will travel to the Reale Arena on Wednesday to take on Real Sociedad.
The visitors reached the final of last season's competition, before just falling short against Manchester City, while their hosts enter Europe's premier tournament for the first time in 10 years.
We say: Real Sociedad 1-2 Inter Milan
Wednesday's game should certainly be close and intriguing, and Real Sociedad will be keen to mark their return to the Champions League with a positive home result, but the visitors do possess more quality and experience on the continental stage and we fancy them to take all three points in the opener.
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